WALES

Departmental Manpower

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers are employed by her Department; and at what civil service pay grade in each such case.

Cheryl Gillan: I have not yet appointed a special adviser. There are three staff in the communications branch-one grade 6, one senior information officer and one information officer.

Departmental Official Cars

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the  (a) make,  (b) model and  (c) place of manufacture is of the car allocated for the use of each Minister in her Department.

Cheryl Gillan: The Wales Office inherited three cars allocated to its Ministers. In London we have two Toyota Prius, manufactured in Japan, and in Cardiff we have a Jaguar manufactured in the UK. These arrangements are changing following the publication of the new ministerial code which contains changes that affect ministerial entitlement to travel by Government car. The code states that
	"the number of Ministers with allocated cars and drivers will be kept to a minimum, taking into account security and other relevant considerations. Other Ministers will be entitled to use cars from the Government Car Service Pool as needed".
	Cabinet Office has provided clarification on how the code should be interpreted. The expectation is that Ministers not in the Cabinet will use the pool service and that Cabinet Ministers who have an allocated car will wish to consider how that car might be utilised by other Ministers within the Department before calls are made on the Government Car Service Pool.
	The Department for Transport and its Government Car and Despatch Agency are working with Departments to effect the transition to the new arrangements.

TRANSPORT

Boats: Licensing

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the financial interests of the individuals reviewing the Boatmasters regulations for the Marine and Coastguard Agency; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is in the process of reviewing the results of an initial informal consultation on required changes to the Boatmasters regulations. In addition to the written comments received, an MCA chaired group, the Boatmasters' Licences sub-group of the Domestic Passenger Ship Steering Group (DPSSG) has also commented extensively on the proposals. As this group is informal it is not necessary to review their financial interests; however, I am happy to receive representation from my hon. Friend should he have any concerns in this regard.
	All comments are being actively considered by the MCA and this will result in a second informal consultation prior to a final public consultation before any amending regulations are laid.

Bus Services: Regulation

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on local authority regulation of local bus services. [R]

Norman Baker: The coalition agreement makes it clear that we will encourage joint working between bus operators and local authorities in England. The Local Transport Act 2008 introduced a number of new bus regulations in England and the related guidance has been published in full. I intend to wait for the outcome of the Competition Commission inquiry into the local bus market in Great Britain outside London before deciding on the need for any further regulatory reform of bus provision.

Departmental Billing

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of invoices from suppliers to his Department were paid within 10 days of receipt in  (a) March and  (b) April 2010.

Norman Baker: The percentage of invoices from suppliers to the Department for Transport and its agencies paid within 10 days of receipt was:
	 (a) March 2010: 89.40%
	 (b) April 2010: 87.01%
	The central Department and its agencies are working towards further improving their prompt payment figures.
	The Department for Transport is made up of a central Department and seven Executive agencies, as follows:
	Highways Agency (HA)
	Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
	Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
	Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
	Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)
	Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
	Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA).
	This response covers all eight entities.

Departmental Contracts

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the  (a) implementation of penalty clauses and payments in its contracts and  (b) potential legal action arising from the deferral and cancellation of contracts and projects under his Department's plans to achieve cost savings; and whether those estimates are included in the total cost savings to be achieved by his Department.

Philip Hammond: I have agreed to contribute £683 million to the £6 billion of in-year budget reductions sought in the emergency Budget.
	For Department for Transport's (DFT's) direct spend, the reductions have been targeted at improving efficiency within non-contractualised spend and re-negotiating contracts with suppliers, and deferring a small number of lower priority schemes which are not contractualised for construction. The reductions will be achieved through a range of measures including a recruitment freeze, reduction in discretionary spend, and a freeze on major new IT spending.
	I therefore do not expect costs under penalty clauses or legal action arising from deferral or cancellation of contracts to be incurred.
	The remainder of DFT's budget is distributed in grants to Network Rail, Transport for London and local government. The proposed reductions to these grants are subject to consultations with those organisations and regulators, and it will be for them to determine how reductions will be achieved. I would expect that similar efficiencies can be driven from these large organisations as can be found by the Department.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many special advisers  (a) he and  (b) each other Minister in his Department (i) has appointed to date and (ii) plans to appoint.

Philip Hammond: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 3 June 2010,  Official Report, column 99W.

Railways: Construction

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will include the East Midlands, Sheffield and Leeds in his proposals for a high speed rail network.

Philip Hammond: The Government's vision is of a truly national high speed rail network. Ministers are reviewing the options for linking the UK's major conurbations. No final decisions on the shape of the network will be taken until full public consultation has taken place.

Woodhead Tunnel

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that the Woodhead tunnels be maintained in a manner which ensures their suitability for future rail use.

Theresa Villiers: Ministers are currently reviewing a wide range of departmental policy. Policy on disused rail lines is being considered as part of this review. The Woodhead tunnels are currently owned and maintained by National Grid.

HEALTH

NHS: Training

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on funding the provision of e-learning materials in the NHS, with particular reference to the e-Learning for Health programme.

Anne Milton: The Department is working with Medical Education England and the professional boards to review strategy for technology-enhanced learning.
	This review will consider the funding provision of e-learning materials in the national health service, with particular reference to the e-Learning for Healthcare programme.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Departmental Manpower

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers are employed by her Department; and at what Civil Service pay grade in each such case.

Richard Benyon: With regard to special advisers, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister on 3 June 2010,  Official Report, column 99W.
	The Department currently employs 18.5 full-time equivalent press officers within core DEFRA and 2.5 full-time equivalent press officers within its executive agencies. Details on their civil service pay grades are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Grade  Total number of press officers 
			  Core DEFRA  
			 Grade 5 1 
			 Grade 7 3 
			 SIO 5.5 
			 IO 9 
			   
			  Animal Health Agency  
			 HEO 1 
			   
			  Rural Payment Agency  
			 SEO 0.5 
			   
			  Food and Environment Research Agency  
			 SIO 1 
		
	
	The Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency do not employ press officers.

Departmental Mobile Phones

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Ministers in her Department have been issued with  (a) a BlackBerry,  (b) an iPhone,  (c) another make of mobile telephone and  (d) a personal digital assistant supplied by the Department.

Richard Benyon: The Secretary Of State and all DEFRA Ministers have been issued with a BlackBerry. None of the other devices listed in the question has been issued to DEFRA Ministers.

Departmental Official Cars

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the  (a) make,  (b) model and  (c) place of manufacture is of the car allocated for the use of each Minister in her Department.

Richard Benyon: Under the interim arrangements inherited from Ministers in the previous Government (see my answer to the hon. Member for West Bromwich East (Mr Watson) 7 June 2010,  Official Report, column 15W), DEFRA temporarily retains two allocated cars. One is a Toyota Prius T Spirit; the other a Honda Civic ES Hybrid. Both are manufactured in Japan.

Noise: Pollution Control

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on tackling noise pollution; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: The Noise Policy Statement for England provides a wide framework aimed at enabling noise management decisions to be made that ensure noise levels do not place an unacceptable burden on society. The statement sets out a vision to
	"promote good health and a good quality of life, through the effective management of noise within the context of government policy on sustainable development."
	Additionally, the Environmental Noise Directive (END) Noise Action Plans for 23 agglomerations (large urban areas) and major roads and major railways (outside agglomerations), in England (www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/noise/), set out the principles of managing environmental noise.
	They also describe the process to be followed by the Highways Agency, local highways authorities, and the railway industry, to determine what, if any, further noise management measures might be undertaken (in the context of Government policy on sustainable development), in areas found to most affected by environmental noise. The plans also describe the process for identifying and managing quiet areas, with the aim of preserving environmental noise quality where it is considered good.
	Local authorities also have a statutory duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to inspect their areas periodically for existing and potential statutory nuisances from noise, and to take reasonably practicable steps to investigate complaints of noise nuisance within their areas. Once satisfied that a statutory nuisance exists or may occur or recur, a local authority must issue an abatement notice requiring that the noise be ceased or abated within a specified timescale. Local authorities also have powers under the Noise Act 1996 (as amended) to take enforcement action against night noise emitted between 11pm and 7am from licensed or domestic premises that exceeds the permitted level, which may be in the form of a fixed penalty notice.

Poultry: Animal Welfare

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the prohibition of the trimming of beaks of laying hens to take effect; and if she will make a statement.

James Paice: The previous Government consulted on the proposed amendments to the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007, to remove the total ban on beak trimming allowing for the routine beak trimming of day-old chicks intended for laying to be carried out using the infra-red technique only. It closed on the 14 April and responses are currently being considered.
	I will be discussing this matter with DEFRA officials shortly.

JUSTICE

Defamation

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will  (a) review the law on libel and  (b) lay formal proposals for reform to provide that it shall not prevent media in the UK from reporting court proceedings elsewhere in the EU, in particular where this concerns UK (a) firms and (b) nationals.

Jonathan Djanogly: We are committed to reviewing the law on defamation with a view to ensuring that freedom of speech and academic debate are protected and that a fair balance is struck between freedom of expression and the protection of reputation.

Departmental Billing

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what percentage of invoices from suppliers to his Department were paid within 10 days of receipt in  (a) March and  (b) April 2010.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice paid 94% of valid supplier invoices within 10 days of receipt in March 2010, and 95% of valid supplier invoices within 10 days of receipt in April 2010.
	The MoJ has been collecting performance data for the MoJ and its agencies since November 2008. The data have been reported to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and are reproduced in the following table:
	
		
			  Month  Percentage of invoices in 10 days 
			  2008  
			 November 64 
			 December 59 
			   
			  2009  
			 January 55 
			 February 67 
			 March 66 
			 April 82 
			 May 92 
			 June 88 
			 July 89 
			 August 88 
			 September 92 
			 October 92 
			 November 93 
			 December 92 
			   
			  2010  
			 January 89 
			 February 93 
			 March 94 
			 April 95

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what financial recompense chief executives of local authorities receive for assuming responsibility for electoral matters in respect of  (a) local and  (b) general elections.

Mark Harper: I have been asked to reply.
	In England and Wales, under section 8 of the Representation of the People Act 1983, each local authority must appoint an to be electoral registration officer, responsible for maintaining the electoral register in the local authority area. Under the Representation of the People Act 1983, each local authority in the UK must also appoint a returning officer for local elections in that area. Local authority chief executives are often appointed as electoral registration officer and returning officer for their local authority.
	Under section 36 of the Representation of the People Act 1983, all expenditure properly incurred by a returning officer in administering local authority elections must be paid by the local authority (in so far as it does not exceed any scale fixed by the local authority).
	In England and Wales, the Representation of the People Act 1983 provides for the duties of a returning officer in respect of the conduct of a UK parliamentary election to be discharged by the electoral registration officer for the constituency as "acting returning officer".
	The amounts which returning officers receive for the services rendered and expenses incurred in administering UK parliamentary elections are paid from the Consolidated Fund under section 29 of the Representation of the People Act 1983. The overall maximum amount which a returning officer is entitled to recover is set out in the Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officer's Charges) Order 2010. This order also sets out the maximum amount a returning officer may recover in respect of specified services and expenses.
	The order provides different amounts for when a parliamentary election is conducted on its own, or when a parliamentary general election is taken together with the ordinary day of election of councillors in some constituencies in 2010. The fee which each acting returning officer may receive for his services is set out under column 2 of the table contained in schedule 1 (in the case of a parliamentary election conducted on its own) and schedule 2 (in the case when a parliamentary general election is taken together with the ordinary day of election of councillors in some constituencies in 2010) to the order.

Prison Service: Manpower

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to reduce staffing levels in prisons in financial year 2010-11; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: Staffing levels in prisons and young offender institutions in England and Wales are set on the basis of the delivery plan and budget that is agreed between the governor and the regional manager with responsibility for custodial services; it is subject to ongoing review. There are no plans to reduce staffing levels outside of this arrangement.
	In line with the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24 May 2010, a recruitment freeze has been imposed on all external recruitment to posts within the civil service. Steps have been taken not to undermine the delivery of prison services and the recruitment of key staff, such as prison officers, will continue as necessary.

Rape: Disclosure of Information

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans the Government has to grant anonymity to defendants in rape cases.

Crispin Blunt: The Government will come forward with proposals on defendant anonymity in rape cases once all the options have been carefully considered.

Rape: Lancashire

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of contested prosecutions for rape in Lancashire police force area have resulted in a conviction in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The proportion of defendants tried at the Crown court in the Lancashire police force area for rape, who pleaded not guilty and who were found guilty, from 2004 to 2008 (latest available) is given in the following table.
	Court proceedings data for 2009 are planned for publication in October 2010.
	
		
			  Number o f defendants tried at the Crown c ourt for rape( 1,)( )( 2)  who pleaded not guilty, who were found guilty of rape, Lancashire police force area 2004 - 08( 3,)( )( 4) 
			   2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Total tried who pleaded not guilty (number) 32 48 29 46 47 
			 Found guilty (number) 8 12 10 13 21 
			 Conviction rate (percentage)(5) 25 25 34 28 45 
			 (1) Includes: Rape and attempted rape of a female or male. (2) Includes: Conspiracies, charges of participation in offences as accessories after the fact and charges of participation in offences by impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the offender. (3) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (4) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (5) Proportion of defendants tried who pleaded not guilty at the Crown court who were found guilty.  Note: As can be seen in the table, the conviction rate is based on data totals of less than 100. Conviction rates at this level can be easily affected, either up or down, by relatively minor alterations in the base data used.  Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services in the Ministry of Justice

Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he plans to make a commencement order to bring into force the Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010.

Jonathan Djanogly: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Vince Cable) announced on 2 June that all regulation inherited from the last Government, including this Act, will be reviewed. No commencement date will be set until the review has been completed.

Youth Justice: Per Capita Costs

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average cost to the public purse of processing a case of a child through the criminal justice system from arrest to sentence was in  (a) the youth court and  (b) the Crown Court in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jonathan Djanogly: The work of the Ministry of Justice spans criminal, civil and family justice, as well as democracy and rights. HM Courts Service forms only a part of the wider criminal justice system, which includes the Crown Prosecution Service, the Metropolitan Police and HM Prison Service. This answer is provided from a Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) point of view only.
	It is not currently possible to identify separately and disaggregate youth court related costs. The costs to HMCS for processing children's cases in  (a) the youth courts and  (b) the crown court cannot currently be separately identified as the time taken to conclude cases involving children is not available.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Borders: Personal Records

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of adapting the e-Borders system to take account of the use of non-biometric passports.

Damian Green: There are not expected to be any cost impacts to the public purse.
	There will be no need to adapt the e-Borders system which is designed to work with all types of travel documents.

Borders: Personal Records

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the likely effects on the operation of e-border and wider border control checks of the ending of the biometric passport scheme.

Damian Green: The assessment of the UK Border Agency is that halting work on the next generation of biometric passports will have no impact on the operation of e-borders or the wider checks at ports and airports.

Departmental Billing

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of invoices from suppliers to her Department were paid within 10 days of receipt in  (a) March and  (b) April 2010.

Nick Herbert: The Home Department has invested in process improvement through the creation of a professional Shared Service Centre and Procurement Centre of Excellence and upgraded Procure to Pay systems. The Department has put firm focus on paying its suppliers on time on receipt of a compliant invoice. It has worked closely with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills reporting on both its legislative obligations of 30 days as well as the 10 day commitment for all suppliers.
	The Home Department's and UKBA's performance information for paying suppliers within 10 days of receipt of a compliant invoice in March and April 2010 is:
	
		
			   Percentage w/terms-compliant invoices  Total invoices paid  Total compliant invoices paid  Compliant invoices paid within terms 
			  March 2010 
			 Home Office 92 2,819 2,166 1,998 
			 UKBA 88 5,391 3,773 3,318 
			 Total 90 8,210 5,939 5,316 
			  
			  April 2010 
			 Home Office 85 2,240 1,535 1,308 
			 UKBA 84 4,760 3,319 2,778 
			 Total 84 7,000 4,854 4,086

Departmental Public Expenditure

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the cost to her Department of the  (a) implementation of penalty clauses and payments in its contracts and  (b) potential legal action arising from the deferral and cancellation of contracts and projects under her Department's plans to achieve cost savings; and whether those estimates are included in the total cost savings to be achieved by her Department.

Nick Herbert: Work is presently underway in the Home Office to manage the process of any contract re-negotiation with suppliers, due to change in scope, deferral or cancellation of programmes. The actual costs and net savings are therefore subject to commercial negotiation. Eventual final costs and charges will be included in the final net savings and reported accordingly.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her most recent estimate is of the annual cost to her Department of redundancy payments for  (a) front-line and  (b) other staff employed by (i) her Department and (ii) its agencies.

Nick Herbert: We do not yet know the full extent of early releases (voluntary or compulsory) that may be required in 2010-11. Furthermore, until we have clarity about the outcome of the legal challenge to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme by the Public and Commercial Services Union, we will not be able to make reliable calculations of any early release costs.

Deportation: Offenders

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign national prisoners were  (a) released from prison and  (b) removed from the UK in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: The number of foreign national prisoners who were discharged from prison having completed determinate sentences for each year from 2004 to 2008 is as follows;
	
		
			   Number 
			 2004 7,100 
			 2005 7,400 
			 2006 7,700 
			 2007 8,100 
			 2008 9,500 
			 2009 N/A 
		
	
	These figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. They refer to the number of discharges on completion of sentence for each year, and will include prisoners who have been removed or deported. Data for 2009 are not yet available.
	Published figures for the UK Border Agency on the number of foreign national prisoners removed or deported from 2007 to 2009 are;
	
		
			   Number 
			 2004 N/A 
			 2005 N/A 
			 2006 N/A 
			 2007 4,200 
			 2008(1) 5,395 
			 2009(1) 5,535 
			 (1) These figures are based on provisional management information and as per all removals and voluntary departures figures are subject to change. They have not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols, and are not identified separately in the published statistics on removals and voluntary departures. The figures include notified, assisted and other forms of voluntary departures. All cases are considered for an exclusion order by the UK Border Agency where there is a legal framework to do so 
		
	
	Management Information prior to 2007 is not available.
	Published information from 2008 onwards is available from the Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistical Summary Statistical bulletins; available in the Library of the House and on the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html

Detention Centres: Children

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children were detained in immigration removal centres on the latest date for which figures are available.

Damian Green: As at 31 March 2010, there were 30 people detained solely under Immigration Act powers recorded as being less than 18 years of age.
	This information is available in tables 3.5 to 3.8 of the Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistical Summary, United Kingdom, January to March 2010 published on 27 May 2010 available in the Library of the House and the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html
	I recently announced a review into the detention of children for asylum purposes so it can be brought to an end this summer. We have already ended the detention of children at Dungavel.

Entry Clearances: Pakistan

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people resident in Islamabad applied for  (a) visitor visas and  (b) permanent settlement in each year since 1997.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency (UKBA) cannot break down its records of visa applications by city of residence except at disproportionate cost.

Identity Cards

Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of her Department's staff who have been employed in administering the identity cards programme she estimates will be  (a) redeployed to other work and  (b) made redundant; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: holding answer 2 June 2010
	 There will be a reduction in staff numbers as a result of the cancellation of identity cards. This is in addition to the other efficiency savings IPS is making to contribute to budget reductions across government. We will begin communicating with staff and union representatives about how this will happen during the coming weeks. We will also be working very closely with suppliers to manage any impacts on them. Last week we informed 60 temporary staff based in Durham that their contracts will be ended three months early (in June). They have no entitlement to redundancy or redeployment.
	Our aim is, as far as possible, to redeploy permanent staff affected and take all action possible to avoid compulsory redundancies.

Identity Cards

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of cancelling contracts with companies undertaking work for her Department on the  (a) development of the next generation biometric passport and  (b) development and delivery of the identity card system;
	(2)  what estimate she has been made of the annual  (a) saving to the public purse consequent on ending the identity register and  (b) cost to the public purse of the cancellation of contracts in respect of the identity register projects including cancellation fees to contractors.

Damian Green: The estimated exchequer savings from cancelling ID cards and the National Identity Register are £86 million and further savings in the region of £134 million will be realised by halting the introduction of fingerprint biometric passports.
	The cost implications of terminating and amending certain National Identity Service contracts are currently a matter of commercial negotiation with suppliers, to protect taxpayers' interests. It is therefore not possible to give the cost of cancelling those contracts at this time.

Identity Cards

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  whether those persons who have received an identity card will be able to continue using it for its stated purposes until its expiry date; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  whether persons who applied voluntarily to receive identity cards are to be reimbursed the application fee.

Damian Green: holding answer 8 June 2010
	For the time being, identity cards remain valid until the date of expiry on the card. However, the Identity Documents Bill which was laid before Parliament on 26 May 2010 proposes the scrapping of ID Cards and the National Identity Register. Cards would remain valid for one month after Royal Assent. The Identity and Passport Service is writing to each cardholder informing them of progress and contact details for further advice. Card refunds or credit for a future passport application will not be offered.

Passports: Fingerprints

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to include fingerprint information in British passports from 2012; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: The programme of work in place to deliver fingerprints in passports in 2012 has been halted. This includes the enhancements to the electronic security of the passport chip required to include finger images and the establishment of a capability to enrol passport applicants' fingerprints.

Police: Finance

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received from  (a) the Association of Police Authorities,  (b) police authorities and  (c) organisations representing the police on the revised police funding settlement announced on 27 May 2010.

Nick Herbert: No representations have been received to date. However, a consultation period will begin once the Police Grant Report (England and Wales) Amending Report 2010-11 has been laid.

Police: Finance

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding her Department intends to provide to police authorities in respect of the requirement upon them to publish detailed monthly local crime statistics.

Nick Herbert: Greater transparency across Government is at the heart of our approach to accountability for public services. This is why we will make sure that, from January 2011, crime data are published at a level that allows the public to see what is happening on their streets. We will be working with police forces and authorities to ensure that this is done in a way that offers value for money for Government, the police service and the public.

Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 2 June 2010,  Official Report, column 13W, on work permits, how many work cards  (a) have been allocated and  (b) are planned to be allocated to each (i) county and (ii) region under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme in 2010.

Damian Green: The quota for the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme for 2010 is 21,250. All work cards have been allocated by the United Kingdom Border Agency to the nine contracted Operators, according to their agreed share of the full quota.
	Operators are responsible for issuing the cards to workers.
	Information on the number of work cards allocated and planned to be allocated by county is not recorded centrally. Information on the number of cards issued by Operators to workers with a specific start date by region is as follows:
	
		
			  Region  Card issued to workers with start dates 1 January 2010 to 31 May 2010  Cards issued to workers with start dates 1 June 2010 onwards  Total 
			 Anglia 1,805 540 2,345 
			 Central 1,335 65 1,400 
			 Midlands 1,325 40 1,365 
			 North East 640 120 760 
			 North West 385 65 450 
			 Northern Ireland 40 5 45 
			 Not stated 190 0 190 
			 Scotland 2,030 415 2,445 
			 South East 2,495 490 2,985 
			 South West 2,875 305 3,180 
			 Wales 10 0 10 
			 Total 13,130 2,045 15,175 
		
	
	The figures quoted are not provided under National Statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change. Figures are rounded to the nearest five.
	The number of work cards allocated may not equate to the number of individuals working in the UK under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme. Not all cards allocated are used, and some cards are issued as replacements for lost or spoiled cards.

Sexual Offences: Registration

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will consider the merits of broadening the definition of sexual offences in Schedule 3 to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to include murder where there was clear sexual motive; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: It is essential that the police and other agencies effectively manage dangerous offenders including those convicted of sexually motivated murders once released back into the community.
	The UK has one of the most robust systems for managing sex offenders in the world. The scope of the legislative framework is regularly kept under review including the need to add new categories of offence and new types of notification requirements.
	Those receiving mandatory sentences for murder are subject to licence conditions after release from prison which could include requirements similar to those under the notification regime. In addition persons posing a risk after release can be actively managed by police and other agencies under local multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA).
	Where there is evidence that a person convicted of murder poses a risk of serious sexual harm to the public, in addition to the restriction of the life licence, the police can apply for a sexual offences prevention order.
	This Government are committed to ensuring that these arrangements are protecting our communities and will work with colleagues across Government to ensure that the most effective policy and legislation are in place.

Trade Unions

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to consult trade unions in  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies concerning deficit reduction plans.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office and its agencies are fully committed to making the savings required in the Government's deficit reduction plan.
	The Department is drawing up detailed plans on how the savings will be made, and how this will affect staff.
	Staff are being kept informed of changes through a variety of methods.
	Where there is a requirement to consult and in circumstances where consultation is deemed to be the best approach, irrespective of obligation, the Home Office and its agencies will consult with the relevant recognised trade unions on areas where the plans will have a significant impact on staff.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Departmental Billing

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of invoices from suppliers to his Department were paid within 10 days of receipt in  (a) March and  (b) April 2010.

Chris Grayling: The percentage of supplier invoices paid within 10 days of receipt is as follows:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 March 2010 97 
			 April 2010 95

Departmental Official Hospitality

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what budget his Department has allocated for entertainment, including alcohol, in each of the next three years.

Chris Grayling: The Department does not allocate a budget for the provision of entertainment or alcohol. All expenditure is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Treasury guidance 'Managing Public Money'.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the  (a) implementation of penalty clauses and payments in its contracts and  (b) potential legal action arising from the deferral and cancellation of contracts and projects under his Department's plans to achieve cost savings; and whether those estimates are included in the total cost savings to be achieved by his Department.

Chris Grayling: DWP expects to minimise costs resulting from any deferral or cancellation of contracts and projects. Any estimate would be speculative at this stage and therefore none have been included within our plans for cost savings.
	Departmental contracts include break clauses allowing the authority the right to terminate at any time by giving an agreed period of notice. This period of notice may vary from contract to contract dependant upon the goods or service being supplied. Any costs incurred by the Department would be deducted from reported savings.
	In the event of procurement projects being deferred or cancelled, the Department would only pay those reasonable costs that had been agreed at the outset of a competition. The Department does not generally make any such agreement. Reported savings would reflect any costs incurred.

Employers' Liability

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to respond to the consultation on Accessing compensation: supporting people who need to trace employer's liability insurance.

Chris Grayling: The public consultation closed on 5 May 2010. We are currently considering the replies we received and we will publish our response to the consultation in due course.

Future Jobs Fund

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many young people have been employed through the Future Jobs Fund in each constituency since its inception.

Chris Grayling: The Information requested is not available.

Housing Benefit

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on the payment of housing benefit to tenants; and what plans he has to renew the effectiveness of the scheme under which such payments are made.

Steve Webb: Housing benefit in the private rented sector is normally paid to the customer but there are circumstances in which payment is made to the landlord.
	If the customer has rent arrears of eight weeks or more the local authority should make payments to the landlord unless it is in the customer's overriding interest not to do so.
	For customers whose benefit is assessed according to the local housing allowance rules, the local authority can make payments to the landlord if it considers the customer should be safeguarded because they are unable or unlikely to manage their rental payments.
	Other customers in the private rented sector and those who have tenancies with registered social landlords can choose to have their benefit paid to the landlord. The local authority can also decide to make payment to the landlord if they consider it to be in the customer's best interests.
	For local authority tenants housing benefit takes the form of a rebate against their rent account.
	A review of the first two years' operation of the local housing allowance arrangements is being undertaken to monitor the impact of the local housing allowance at a national level. The review aims to cover a range of issues including direct payment to tenants.

Social Security Benefits: Disabled

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the future of  (a) incapacity benefit and  (b) employment and support allowance; and if he will take steps to ensure that claimants with debilitating conditions are not disadvantaged by changes in the welfare system.

Chris Grayling: A key priority for the new Government will be to help as many of the 2.2 million claimants of the old incapacity benefits as possible back into the work place. We support the view of many independent representative groups that, where possible, people are better off in work.
	The Department plans to begin the reassessment of people receiving incapacity benefit in October 2010 and transfer cases to either employment and support allowance or jobseeker's allowance.
	The Work Capability Assessment is carried out by a health care professional and delivers an evaluation of the extent to which a claimant is capable of work. We are aware that some people need much more support to manage their conditions and get help to find work, and moving them to employment and support allowance is the best way to do that. We know this is a big undertaking and are working on plans to make the change happen as smoothly as possible for all claimants.
	A Department-led review of the Work Capability Assessment engaged with medical and other experts alongside a range of representative groups including the Disability Benefits Consortium, RNIB, Mind and the National Autistic Society among others.
	We are committed to an annual, independent review of the Work Capability Assessment for the first five years.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department budgeted for advertising tackling benefit fraud in each of the last three financial years.

Chris Grayling: The information is in the table:
	
		
			  Budgeted expenditure for advertising tackling benefit fraud 
			   £ million 
			 2007-08 6.5 
			 2008-09 6.0 
			 2009-10 5.0 
			  Note: Includes media costs, PR, production and research costs. It excludes VAT. 
		
	
	We are currently reviewing all advertising expenditure and requests for further funding will be submitted to HM Treasury for approval.

Trade Unions

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to consult trade unions in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies concerning deficit reduction plans.

Chris Grayling: My officials met with departmental trade union side on 25 May 2010 to discuss the planned reductions in Government spending. These plans form part of the Government's wider deficit reduction programme. As and when the detailed proposals become available, departmental officials will continue to consult with our trade unions at the appropriate level.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Chen Guangcheng

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department had had discussions with the Government of China on the case of Chen Guangcheng; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Browne: We have raised our concerns about the case of Chen Guangcheng with the Chinese authorities on three occasions since 2006. One of these occasions was during the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue in January 2009, together with the cases of other human rights defenders. The Chinese responded with details of the charges brought against him and of his unsuccessful appeal.
	We are proposing that this case should next be raised at the EU/China Human Rights Dialogue on 29/30 June 2010 where Chen Guangcheng should be included on the individual case list. We will continue to monitor this case and raise it when appropriate.

Defence

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements he has in place to supply the foreign policy component of the Strategic Defence Review.

Alistair Burt: The foundation of the Strategic Defence and Security Review will be an assessment of Britain's place in the world, of the threats and opportunities facing Britain, and how we best defend ourselves against those threats and exploit those opportunities. That assessment will be agreed by the National Security Council, and it will determine the broad range of capabilities which we need. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will continue to supply foreign policy input throughout the review.

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) plasma and  (b) LCD televisions there are in ministerial offices in his Department.

David Lidington: There are 13 LCD televisions in Foreign and Commonwealth Office ministerial offices. This constitutes 16 rooms and includes all the Private Offices of all the Ministers and offices of Special Advisers. There are no plasma televisions.

Departmental Mobile Phones

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers in his Department have been issued with  (a) a BlackBerry,  (b) an iPhone,  (c) another make of mobile telephone and  (d) a personal digital assistant supplied by the Department.

Alistair Burt: At the current time my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has been issued with one official BlackBerry and also has use of an in-car phone.
	My hon. Friends the Under-Secretary of State (Mr Bellingham), the Minister of State (Mr Browne), the Minister for Europe (Mr Lidington) and I each have one official BlackBerry.
	My noble Friend Lord Howell does not have an official mobile telephone.
	No other mobile phones or personal digital assistants have been issued.

Departmental Public Appointments

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) political appointments and  (b) other personal appointments he has made since his appointment; and at what estimated annual cost to the public purse.

Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's response of 3 June 2010,  Official Report, column 99W.

Embassies: Buildings

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to sell property owned by his Department which is used as British embassies and residences overseas; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) constantly reviews its global Estate in the light of changing operational needs to optimise the use of its property assets. As a consequence the FCO regularly acquires and disposes of its property assets. In 2009 the Treasury set the FCO an asset sales target of £25 million for the financial years 2010-11.
	Between 2010-11 and 2013-14 we have identified 106 potentially redundant properties for disposal with a total book value of £71.09 million. This comprises four office buildings, six residences, 86 units of staff accommodation, four plots of land, three amenity complexes and three ancillary buildings. At present we have sold £848,000 with a further £9.8 million awaiting completion. In order to maximise the price received for the sale of our assets, it is not our policy to provide exact details of our sales programme, nor the price we expect to receive in advance of formal marketing.
	We will continue to keep our property portfolio under review, ensuring it provides value for money, fitness for purpose, and security for our staff.
	Details of sales completed are reported quarterly to the Foreign Affairs Committee. Book value for each property is based on value as assessed by independent Chartered Surveyors commissioned to undertake the rolling programme of revaluations.

Linda Carty

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consular contact his Department maintains with Linda Carty in Mountain View Unit, Gatesville, Texas; what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of her legal representation; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: Our consulate general in Houston remains in close contact with Ms Carty and continues to provide her with consular assistance. A consular official last visited Ms Carty on 6 May 2010 and plans to visit her again this month.
	The choice of counsel is up to Ms Carty. But we do work hard to ensure British prisoners abroad are aware of the range of legal options available to them, and to put prisoners potentially facing death sentences in touch with the non-governmental organisation Reprieve, who look to ensure that they are defended effectively.
	This must be an extremely difficult time for Ms Carty and her family. We have been providing consular assistance ever since we learned of her case, in August 2002. We continue to support her and her family. We have made our concerns about her case known throughout the legal process, most recently submitting a supporting brief to the US Supreme Court on her behalf.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the number of resolutions of the UN Security Council of which the Government of Israel is in breach; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: holding answer 7 June 2010
	We have made no such estimate. The UK will continue to impress upon the Israeli Government the need to act in line with their international obligations.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made this clear in his statement on 2 June 2010.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise at the UN Security Council the matter of the restrictions placed by the Government of Israel on access for humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials into Gaza; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear in his statement to the House on 2 June 2010, the situation in Gaza is unacceptable and unsustainable, and is a cause of public concern here in the United Kingdom and around the world.
	The UK supports the UN Security Council statement of 31 May which underlined the need for sustained and regular flow of goods and people to Gaza as well as unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.
	We will also continue to impress on the Israeli Government the importance of UN Security Council resolution 1860, which calls for sustained delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Mordechai Vanunu

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Israeli government on the incarceration of Mordechai Vanunu.

Alistair Burt: We are aware of the circumstances surrounding Mr Vanunu's detention in Israel and continue to monitor his case closely.

Nuclear Weapons

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his contribution of 26 May 2010,  Official Report, column 181, whether he plans to establish procedures to allow the international community to verify the stated magnitude of UK nuclear warheads.

Alistair Burt: We have no plans to establish procedures to allow the international community to verify the UK's nuclear warhead stockpile. The UK has made this announcement in order to be more open, but we have to limit access to military sites in order to protect our national security interests and to adhere to safety and security measures.
	The UK recognises the importance of an effective verification regime to achieving the long-term goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and has been pursuing internationally acclaimed research with Norway and the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre, a non-governmental organization, on the verification of nuclear warhead dismantlement.

Somalia: Piracy

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the level of security of UK maritime operations in the Gulf of Aden; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Government monitors the maritime security situation in areas that present a risk to critical UK trade routes, including the Gulf of Aden. There is a continued risk of pirate attack to those transiting the region, and we are aware of other maritime activity including smuggling and drug trafficking. The threat level in the area increased from the end of 2008 and early 2009 when pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden increased. The Ministry of Defence has conducted maritime security operations in the region since 2001 through the Combined Maritime Force and offers shipping advice to international shipping transiting through the region via the UK Maritime Trade Operation. Moreover, specific North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, EU, and Combined Maritime Force counter piracy operations have been effectively coordinating shipping activity along an internationally recommended transit corridor since mid-2009. As a result of these operations, combined with increased shipping industry adherence to UN endorsed best management practices, the number of successful attacks has significantly reduced with only three on vessels following this guidance since 2008. The Government are concerned, however, by the recent spread of pirate activity into the wider Indian Ocean. The multi-national operations are currently considering options on how best to address this.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many special advisers  (a) he and  (b) the Minister of State (i) has appointed to date and (ii) plans to appoint.

Owen Paterson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 June 2010,  Official Report, column 99W.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Departmental Manpower

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many  (a) front-line and  (b) other staff were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what his most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies.

John Penrose: In the financial year 2009-10, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and its agency, The Royal Parks, employed a total of 580 full-time equivalent staff (455 at the DCMS, 125 at The Royal Parks) at an annual cost of £31,709,234.
	The DCMS does not differentiate between front line and other staff.

Departmental Official Residences

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether any domestic properties in the gift of the Government have been allocated to the use of Ministers in his Department.

John Penrose: No domestic properties in the gift of the Government have been allocated to Ministers at DCMS.

Departmental Public Appointments

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many special advisers  (a) he and  (b) each named Minister in his Department (i) has appointed to date and (ii) plans to appoint.

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many  (a) political appointments and  (b) other personal appointments he has made since his appointment; and at what estimated annual cost to the public purse.

Hugh Robertson: I refer the hon. Members to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 June 2010,  Official Report, column 99W.

Gambling: Greater London

David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many gambling licences were in effect in  (a) Tottenham constituency and  (b) Greater London (i) in September 2007 and (ii) on the most recent date for which figures are available; and in respect of which location the licence was issued in each case.

John Penrose: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Under the Gambling Act 2005, local authorities are required to maintain public registers showing the permissions that they have granted.

EDUCATION

Children's Commissioner for England

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for the future of the post of Children's Commissioner.

Sarah Teather: The Government believe it is vital that the voices of children and young people are heard, and will consider how the post of the Children's Commissioner can help achieve this most effectively.

Pupil Premium

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to make an announcement on his plans for a pupil premium.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 7 June 2010
	The Government published the document "The Coalition: our Programme for Government" on 20 May 2010, which set out our intention for a pupil premium to support disadvantaged children. The pupil premium will target extra funding specifically at deprived pupils to enable them to receive the support they need to reach their potential. We will publish our proposals with details of how we plan to distribute the pupil premium in due course.

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the  (a) per capita and  (b) per pupil funding level in the (i) primary and (ii) secondary sector was in each local education authority in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: School funding is allocated based upon pupil numbers, not population numbers, and so the Department for Education does not have funding figures on a per capita basis.
	Since 2006-07, the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) has been the main source of school funding. As the DSG is distributed by the Department through a single guaranteed unit of funding per pupil for each local authority, a primary/secondary split on a central to local government basis is not available.
	Per pupil funding figures for 2005-06 to 2009-10 for all local authorities in England are provided as follows. These include the DSG and other grants, are for all funded pupils aged three-19 and are in real terms:
	
		
			  Local authority revenue funding per pupil 
			  £ 
			   2005-06 (baseline)  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10 
			 Barking and Dagenham 4,960 4,960 5,240 5,270 5,390 
			 Barnet 4,810 4,990 5,130 5,200 5,340 
			 Barnsley 4,160 4,300 4,480 4,480 4,650 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 4,120 4,240 4,370 4,430 4,570 
			 Bedfordshire 4,090 4,210 4,350 4,410 - 
			 Bedford Borough - - - - 4,680 
			 Central Bedfordshire - - - - 4,470 
			 Bexley 4,400 4,510 4,670 4,720 4,820 
			 Birmingham 4,830 5,000 5,180 5,240 5,370 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 4,700 4,860 5,020 5,040 5,180 
			 Blackpool 4,310 4,430 4,590 4,620 4,760 
			 Bolton 4,280 4,410 4,590 4,600 4,710 
			 Bournemouth 4,040 4,150 4,290 4,300 4,450 
			 Bracknell Forest 4,180 4,310 4,470 4,500 4,650 
			 Bradford 4,450 4,640 4,830 4,870 5,010 
			 Brent 5,210 5,350 5,590 5,700 5,830 
			 Brighton and Hove 4,360 4,480 4,640 4,660 4,780 
			 Bristol, City of 4,710 4,890 5,050 5,050 5,130 
			 Bromley 4,240 4,350 4,510 4,590 4,730 
			 Buckinghamshire 4,200 4,310 4,450 4,510 4,640 
			 Bury 4,140 4,240 4,390 4,430 4,560 
			 Calderdale 4,250 4,380 4,530 4,570 4,700 
			 Cambridgeshire 3,950 4,080 4,210 4,280 4,410 
			 Camden 6,580 6,700 6,900 6,910 7,070 
			 Cheshire 4,100 4,200 4,350 4,430 - 
			 Cheshire East - - - - 4,450 
			 Cheshire West and Chester - - - - 4,660 
			 Cornwall 3,980 4,120 4,280 4,340 4,500 
			 Coventry 4,470 4,620 4,790 4,790 4,920 
			 Croydon 4,490 4,660 4,860 4,910 5,050 
			 Cumbria 4,190 4,290 4,430 4,430 4,570 
			 Darlington 4,270 4,360 4,540 4,550 4,680 
			 Derby 4,270 4,440 4,610 4,660 4,790 
			 Derbyshire 4,050 4,170 4,320 4,450 4,590 
			 Devon 3,940 4,070 4,220 4,280 4,400 
			 Doncaster 4,330 4,450 4,600 4,630 4,750 
			 Dorset 4,070 4,160 4,310 4,350 4,480 
			 Dudley 4,170 4,290 4,460 4,510 4,640 
			 Durham 4,360 4,480 4,640 4,730 4,900 
			 Ealing 5,200 5,350 5,540 5,620 5,790 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 3,960 4,060 4,210 4,270 4,410 
			 East Sussex 4,230 4,330 4,530 4,560 4,700 
			 Enfield 4,770 4,910 5,080 5,100 5,210 
			 Essex 4,130 4,250 4,400 4,450 4,560 
			 Gateshead 4,490 4,570 4,720 4,740 4,880 
			 Gloucestershire 3,990 4,110 4,260 4,370 4,480 
			 Greenwich 5,660 5,930 6,130 6,260 6,430 
			 Hackney 6,510 6,920 7,070 7,250 7,470 
			 Halton 4,680 4,780 4,960 4,960 5,070 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 6,050 6,330 6,550 6,490 6,630 
			 Hampshire 3,960 4,070 4,220 4,320 4,430 
			 Haringey 5,570 5,640 5,850 5,940 6,020 
			 Harrow 4,590 4,800 4,970 5,170 5,200 
			 Hartlepool 4,480 4,600 4,780 4,830 4,910 
			 Havering 4,370 4,460 4,600 4,670 4,800 
			 Herefordshire 3,950 4,100 4,270 4,320 4,450 
			 Hertfordshire 4,160 4,250 4,400 4,500 4,620 
			 Hillingdon 4,620 4,800 4,940 4,990 5,120 
			 Hounslow 5,010 5,180 5,340 5,380 5,490 
			 Isle of Wight 4,310 4,520 4,680 4,660 4,810 
			 Islington 6,140 6,430 6,710 6,660 6,810 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 6,420 6,490 6,610 6,530 6,700 
			 Kent 4,200 4,310 4,460 4,520 4,650 
			 Kingston upon Hull, City of 4,500 4,650 4,820 4,870 5,020 
			 Kingston upon Thames 4,560 4,670 4,790 4,850 4,960 
			 Kirklees 4,250 4,380 4,550 4,650 4,800 
			 Knowsley 4,610 4,800 5,040 5,080 5,310 
			 Lambeth 6,190 6,400 6,620 6,780 7,020 
			 Lancashire 4,210 4,320 4,480 4,520 4,660 
			 Leeds 4,310 4,410 4,560 4,610 4,730 
			 Leicester 4,490 4,660 4,870 4,860 5,040 
			 Leicestershire 3,830 3,920 4,050 4,150 4,270 
			 Lewisham 5,910 6,140 6,310 6,330 6,480 
			 Lincolnshire 4,120 4,230 4,380 4,410 4,530 
			 Liverpool 4,710 4,880 5,080 5,140 5,340 
			 Luton 4,540 4,740 4,920 4,960 5,120 
			 Manchester 4,970 5,150 5,410 5,430 5,570 
			 Medway 4,280 4,420 4,560 4,600 4,710 
			 Merton 4,550 4,820 4,970 5,010 5,130 
			 Middlesbrough 4,690 4,850 5,040 4,960 5,150 
			 Milton Keynes 4,310 4,480 4,630 4,710 4,850 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 4,480 4,620 4,800 4,840 4,950 
			 Newham 5,370 5,650 5,870 5,970 6,140 
			 Norfolk 4,110 4,210 4,360 4,410 4,540 
			 North East Lincolnshire 4,430 4,560 4,780 4,850 5,050 
			 North Lincolnshire 4,130 4,240 4,390 4,420 4,540 
			 North Somerset 4,040 4,120 4,260 4,310 4,450 
			 North Tyneside 4,290 4,360 4,490 4,520 4,660 
			 North Yorkshire 4,120 4,230 4,370 4,440 4,580 
			 Northamptonshire 4,020 4,130 4,280 4,360 4,460 
			 Northumberland 4,130 4,230 4,380 4,400 4,510 
			 Nottingham 4,980 5,110 5,330 5,330 5,430 
			 Nottinghamshire 4,060 4,150 4,330 4,390 4,500 
			 Oldham 4,460 4,610 4,790 4,820 4,970 
			 Oxfordshire 4,100 4,220 4,370 4,410 4,520 
			 Peterborough 4,410 4,550 4,700 4,790 4,920 
			 Plymouth 4,200 4,350 4,510 4,540 4,670 
			 Poole 3,990 4,090 4,230 4,250 4,370 
			 Portsmouth 4,300 4,430 4,600 4,650 4,800 
			 Reading 4,450 4,720 4,920 4,870 5,030 
			 Redbridge 4,400 4,580 4,770 4,820 4,960 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 4,410 4,510 4,670 4,750 4,930 
			 Richmond upon Thames 4,440 4,560 4,690 4,750 4,880 
			 Rochdale 4,540 4,680 4,860 4,900 5,050 
			 Rotherham 4,450 4,530 4,700 4,730 4,860 
			 Rutland 4,210 4,310 4,440 4,400 4,530 
			 Salford 4,700 4,860 5,060 5,050 5,220 
			 Sandwell 4,520 4,710 4,900 4,890 4,980 
			 Sefton 4,370 4,420 4,570 4,590 4,740 
			 Sheffield 4,200 4,390 4,570 4,650 4,780 
			 Shropshire 3,980 4,070 4,220 4,240 4,370 
			 Slough 4,740 4,900 5,070 5,130 5,270 
			 Solihull 3,910 4,100 4,210 4,270 4,420 
			 Somerset 3,990 4,080 4,230 4,350 4,480 
			 South Gloucestershire 3,880 3,970 4,110 4,150 4,230 
			 South Tyneside 4,560 4,640 4,820 4,910 5,090 
			 Southampton 4,350 4,530 4,700 4,750 4,850 
			 Southend-on-Sea 4,350 4,460 4,590 4,640 4,800 
			 Southwark 6,000 6,440 6,640 6,650 6,770 
			 St Helens 4,390 4,440 4,630 4,640 4,810 
			 Staffordshire 3,990 4,080 4,230 4,290 4,420 
			 Stockport 4,080 4,180 4,320 4,410 4,560 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 4,400 4,470 4,640 4,620 4,760 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 4,480 4,620 4,770 4,800 4,930 
			 Suffolk 3,970 4,100 4,260 4,320 4,470 
			 Sunderland 4,390 4,470 4,630 4,680 4,820 
			 Surrey 4,090 4,240 4,370 4,450 4,580 
			 Sutton 4,500 4,590 4,740 4,810 4,950 
			 Swindon 3,970 4,110 4,250 4,310 4,430 
			 Tameside 4,230 4,360 4,520 4,560 4,660 
			 Telford and Wrekin 4,160 4,300 4,510 4,510 4,650 
			 Thurrock 4,290 4,500 4,670 4,700 4,860 
			 Torbay 4,170 4,280 4,440 4,460 4,580 
			 Tower Hamlets 6,680 7,020 7,280 7,350 7,540 
			 Trafford 4,110 4,200 4,340 4,410 4,560 
			 Wakefield 4,190 4,350 4,510 4,550 4,630 
			 Walsall 4,350 4,510 4,690 4,700 4,810 
			 Waltham Forest 4,970 5,180 5,340 5,330 5,490 
			 Wandsworth 5,440 5,650 5,880 5,980 6,190 
			 Warrington 3,990 4,090 4,250 4,320 4,450 
			 Warwickshire 4,010 4,130 4,270 4,320 4,450 
			 West Berkshire 4,250 4,390 4,530 4,570 4,700 
			 West Sussex 4,060 4,170 4,310 4,370 4,470 
			 Westminster 5,540 6,040 6,310 6,260 6,370 
			 Wigan 4,220 4,300 4,470 4,510 4,640 
			 Wiltshire 3,910 4,060 4,200 4,250 4,390 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 4,280 4,420 4,580 4,630 4,770 
			 Wirral 4,340 4,420 4,610 4,630 4,770 
			 Wokingham 4,000 4,160 4,320 4,360 4,520 
			 Wolverhampton 4,510 4,670 4,860 4,940 5,100 
			 Worcestershire 3,970 4,080 4,210 4,300 4,430 
			 York 4,050 4,120 4,260 4,360 4,500 
			  Notes: 1. This covers funding through the Dedicated Schools Grant, School Standards Grant, School Standards Grant (Personalisation) and Standards Fund as well as funding from the Learning and Skills Council; it excludes grants which are not allocated at LA level. 2. Price Base: Real term figures using 31 March 2010 GDP Deflators at 2008-09 prices. 3. These figures are for all funded pupils aged three-19. 4. Rounding: Per pupil figures are rounded to the nearest £10. 5. Figures exclude Isles of Scilly and City of London. 6. From 2009-10 due to Local Government re-organisation, Bedfordshire split to become Bedford borough and Central Bedfordshire and Cheshire became Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester.

Seaham School of Technology

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will ensure that planned funding for Seaham School of Technology under the Building Schools for the Future programme is maintained.

Nick Gibb: The Department is reviewing the Building Schools for the Future programme to ensure that when we build schools for the future, we do so in a more cost-effective and efficient fashion.

Trade Unions

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to consult trade unions in his Department on cost reduction plans.

Michael Gove: Officials and Ministers meet regularly with the recognised trade unions to discuss a variety of issues including Machinery of Government changes. I hold meetings with the recognised trade unions on a six-monthly basis and informal meetings are taking place with the Department's Head of Employee Relations and the Trade Union Side Chair.
	The trade unions met the permanent secretary on 24 May to discuss current plans and another meeting has been offered before the start of the summer recess.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Departmental Manpower

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers are employed by his Department at each Civil Service pay grade.

Bob Neill: With regard to special advisers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 3 June 2010,  Official Report, column 99W.
	The total number of press officers and their civil service pay grades are set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Pay grade  Number of officers 
			 Information officer 7 
			 Senior information officer 8 
			 Grade 7 4 
			 Grade 6 1

Departmental Mobile Phones

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which Ministers in his Department have been issued with  (a) a BlackBerry,  (b) an iPhone,  (c) another make of mobile telephone and  (d) a personal digital assistant supplied by the Department.

Bob Neill: Since the arrival of the new Government, this Department has issued a total of five BlackBerrys to the following Ministers:
	Mr Eric Pickles;
	Mr Andrew Stunell;
	Mr Bob Neill;
	Baroness Hanham; and
	Mr Grant Shapps.
	To date no other mobile device has been issued to CLG ministers.

Derelict Land and Green Belt

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to publish separate guidance on the preservation of green belts in local plans; and against what criteria local authorities should make decisions affecting the Green Belt before such guidance is published.

Bob Neill: Policy on Green Belt is currently set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 2, "Green Belts" (PPG2), published in 1995. Local planning authorities must have regard to PPG2 when preparing local plans. PPG2 also establishes a presumption against inappropriate development on green belt. If a proposal for such development is received, the local planning authority should consider whether any harm to the green belt would be outweighed by other considerations, and whether very special circumstances exist to justify planning permission.
	In the Coalition Agreement the Government stated that they will publish and present to Parliament a simple and consolidated national planning framework covering all forms of development. Announcements on the future of planning policy will be made in due course. However, the agreement also undertakes to ensure that the protection of green belt by local planning authorities is maintained.
	We have also effectively suspended the operation of regional spatial strategies and their associated housing targets, which created top-down pressure to review green belt boundaries. We will now move to formally abolish RSS.

Local Government Finance

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the speech by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 24 May 2010 on spending announcements, for which local authority in England  (a) what is the amount in pounds sterling of the authority's aggregate external finance which is liable to be reduced and  (b) what percentage of aggregate external finance this represents in the case of each such local authority.

Bob Neill: An announcement on the specific grant streams that will be reduced in 2010-11 will be made shortly.

Local Government Finance: North East

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government by how much and in what proportion he expects to amend the grant from his Department to each local authority in the North East in order to contribute to the projected reduction in his Department's expenditure in 2010-11.

Bob Neill: An announcement on the specific grant streams that will be reduced in 2010-11 will be made shortly.

Local Government: Public Consultation

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what mechanism will be used to enable people in a local authority area to veto a proposed rise in council tax above a defined level.

Bob Neill: We will give residents the power to veto excessive council tax rises that go above a set threshold. We will set out our proposals on the threshold and the mechanism for initiating a referendum in a consultation document later this year.

Mayors

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects each planned city referendum on elected mayoral authorities to take place.

Bob Neill: We are committed to implementing as soon as practicable our programme for Government which we published on 20 May, including our commitment that we will create directly elected mayors in the 12 largest cities in England, subject to confirmatory referendums.

Ordnance Survey

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has for the future ownership of Ordnance Survey.

Bob Neill: Ordnance Survey is Great Britain's national mapping agency and its data underpin the delivery of many vital public services. I am not considering changes to the ownership of Ordnance Survey.

Planning Obligations

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to review the operation of section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Bob Neill: The Government are currently consulting on a policy document concerning the operation of section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which closes on 21 June 2010. Announcements on the future of the related Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) will be made in due course.

Second Homes and Holiday Accommodation

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will review the  (a) planning and  (b) taxation rules in respect of (i) second and (ii) holiday homes to control the prevalence of such properties.

Bob Neill: My Department has no current plans to review the  (a) planning  (b) taxation rules in respect of (i) second homes and (ii) holiday homes.

Standards Board for England

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what timetable he has set for his plans to abolish the Standards Board for England.

Bob Neill: We will implement our commitment in our Programme for Government to abolish the Standards Board regime as soon as practicable, and hence intend to include provisions in the Bill which will devolve greater powers to councils, announced in the Queen's Speech for this parliamentary session, to repeal the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000 which established the Standards Board for England.

PRIME MINISTER

Sovereignty

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Prime Minister which Minister is responsible for examining the case for a UK Sovereignty Bill.

David Cameron: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Hague) is the Minister responsible.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Manpower

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers are employed by his Department; and at what Civil Service pay grade in each such case.

David Mundell: In terms of special advisers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 3 June 2010,  Official Report, column 99W, to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman). The Scotland Office currently has two permanent Press Office staff; one at the former Grade 7 level and one equivalent to Higher Executive Officer level.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

National Grid

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the distribution losses of electricity over the National Grid in each of the last five years.

Charles Hendry: According to Ofgem, the estimated losses over the electricity distribution network for the last five years were as follows:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 2004-05 5 
			 2005-06 5.1 
			 2006-07 4.9 
			 2007-08 5.2 
			 2008-09 5.3 
		
	
	Ofgem sets an output-based incentive in order to encourage Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to manage losses both through low-loss technology but also through network operations or network users as well as incentivising them to identify ways to tackle the issue of theft.
	National Grid estimates that the proportion of electricity generated lost over the GB transmission network is 2% of the total energy transferred across the network.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what definition his Department uses of a successful completion of the armed forces' operations in Afghanistan.

Liam Fox: We will have successfully completed our military operations when Afghanistan is stable enough to manage its own internal and external security without the support of the international community. Only when Afghanistan can prevent itself from reverting to a base from which terrorists can threaten us will our mission be complete and our troops will be able to come home.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have been recruited into the  (a) Royal Air Force,  (b) Royal Navy and  (c) Army in (i) England, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Northern Ireland and (iv) Wales in each of the last five years.

Andrew Robathan: The numbers of personnel recruited into the armed forces in each of the last five years are as follows:
	
		
			  Royal Air Force 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10 
			 England 1,338 1,585 2,541 3,882 3,712 
			 Scotland 104 134 207 300 287 
			 Northern Ireland 22 28 36 25 30 
			 Wales 56 50 116 242 209 
		
	
	
		
			  Royal Navy/Royal Marines 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10 
			 England 3,251 3,265 3,345 3,581 3,579 
			 Scotland 314 287 277 330 284 
			 Northern Ireland 204 163 180 204 206 
			 Wales 42 57 48 47 49 
			 Centrally recruited 54 42 85 98 56 
			  Notes: 1. Officers are recruited through six Regional Officer Careers Liaison Centres (OCLC) in Rosyth, Peterborough, Plymouth, London, Manchester and Belfast. Candidates will normally be sent to the OCLC nearest to them, therefore officer candidates from Wales would normally be processed through OCLC Manchester and cannot, therefore be separated from the candidates from England processed through that OCLC. 2. 'Centrally recruited' refers to specialist officer candidates who are processed centrally i.e. doctors, dentists, chaplains and QARNNS officer. 
		
	
	
		
			  Army - Other Ranks 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10 
			 England n/a 9,761 9,823 10,664 10,036 
			 Scotland n/a 1,022 754 840 1,148 
			 Northern Ireland n/a 246 256 293 316 
			 Wales n/a 944 894 917 871 
			 n/a = Not Available 
		
	
	
		
			  Army - Officers 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10 
			 Total 752 707 712 713 645 
		
	
	Due to the way Army Officers are recruited, data are only available as a total and not by country.

Chiefs of Staff

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to the public purse was of travel by the  (a) Chief of the General Staff and  (b) Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff in the last 12 months.

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to the public purse was of travel by the  (a) Chief of the Air Staff and  (b) First Sea Lord in the last 12 months.

Andrew Robathan: I will write to the hon. Members with the information requested.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of the Government grant to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: The Ministry of Defence has no plans to change the long-standing arrangement whereby the United Kingdom funds 78% of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission costs, which is proportionate to the number of war casualties the United Kingdom sustained during what are considered the war years. This year's United Kingdom funding is in excess of £42 million.
	The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have already outlined their requirements for their next three- year financial cycle, including a number of proposals for additional projects. These will be developed and considered in conjunction with the Commission and the contributing nations, with a view to reaching an agreed budget later this year.
	We remain committed to ensuring that those who died during the two world wars, and the men and women who have died while serving in HM armed forces in subsequent years, continue to be commemorated with the same honour and dignity as hitherto and which they so richly deserve.

Defence

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the names are of those participating in the strategic defence review; and when he expects that review to be completed.

Liam Fox: Within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), a team of about 30 people, the final membership of which will be determined soon, is being established to coordinate the Defence contribution to the Strategic Defence Spending Review (SDSR). A wide range of personnel across the MOD and armed forces will participate in developing that contribution. The SDSR will run in parallel and underpin the spending review. These will report in a coordinated way towards the end of this year.

Defence

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the likely effect on the  (a) number of and  (b) number of hours worked by officials of his Department of the proposal to hold a strategic defence review in every Parliament.

Liam Fox: This will be part of the Department's core work and is not separately identifiable.

Defence Support Group

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for future ownership arrangements of the Defence Support Group.

Peter Luff: Defence activity is being reviewed in the context of the Strategic Defence and Security Review and the Spending Review. It would be premature to speculate about the impact of these reviews on any aspect of defence activity, including the Defence Support Group, at this stage.

Departmental Billing

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of invoices from suppliers to his Department were paid within 10 days of receipt in  (a) March and  (b) April 2010.

Andrew Robathan: Performance figures for March and April 2010, against the Government's agreed 10-day payment target, are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  2010  Percentage of invoices paid within 10 days of receipt 
			 March 97.98 
			 April 98.67 
		
	
	The figures provided represent invoices processed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Financial Management Shared Service Centre and the four MOD trading funds:
	Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
	Meteorological Office
	Defence Support Group
	UK Hydrographic Office.

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) plasma and  (b) LCD televisions there are in ministerial offices in his Department.

Liam Fox: There are six plasma televisions in ministerial offices in the Ministry of Defence. This is the same as the number inherited from the previous Government.

Departmental Manpower

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many full-time equivalent staff at each civil service grade are employed in the private office of each Minister in his Department.

Liam Fox: 18 full-time equivalent civil service staff are currently employed in the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) six ministerial offices. The following shows the breakdown of each MOD civil service grade employed in the private office of each Minister.
	 Secretary of State for Defence
	SCS PB1
	B1
	B2
	C1
	D
	 Minister of State for the Armed Forces
	B2
	C1
	D
	 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for  Defence Personnel, Welfare a nd Veterans
	B2
	C2
	D
	 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology
	B2
	C1 x 2
	D
	 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for International Security Strategy
	C1
	C2
	D
	The composition of the private offices of the Under-Secretary of State and Lords spokesman on defence is yet to be finalised. There are also two military officers at OF4 rank and one at OF5 in the Ministers' private offices.

Departmental Official Cars

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Government  (a) cars and  (b) drivers are allocated to Ministers in his Department.

Liam Fox: None. I am driven and protected by the Metropolitan police. Junior Defence Ministers draw on the Ministry of Defence pool of drivers and cars as the Department has dispensed with the individual drivers allocated to Ministers in the previous Government.

Departmental Official Cars

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the effect on his Department's expenditure on official cars for  (a) civil servants and  (b) service personnel in 2010-11 of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's announcement on Government spending on 24 May 2010.

Andrew Robathan: The Government are committed to saving at least 25% of the running costs of Defence. This includes reductions in the cost of official transport and business travel.
	Total Defence expenditure in 2010-11, however, is not affected by the announcement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 24 May 2010, and any savings made are being recycled within Defence. This will apply to any expenditure that might be saved in respect to official cars.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when and in what form he plans to publish a list of all items of expenditure by his Department over £25,000.

Liam Fox: The Prime Minister has written to Cabinet Ministers reiterating transparency commitments made in the coalition programme for government, and setting out a timetable for achieving them. In particular, all new items of central Government spending over £25,000 will be published online in an open format from November 2010.

France

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the cost to the public purse was of  (a) accommodation and  (b) travel of the Veterans Minister's visit to France on 29 and 30 May 2010; and what the cost to the public purse was in respect of officials of his Department of (i) accommodation, (ii) travel and (iii) wages;
	(2)  what the cost to the public purse was of  (a) accommodation,  (b) subsistence and  (c) wages of drivers deployed in respect of the Minister for Veterans' visit to France on the weekend of 29 May 2010.

Andrew Robathan: The net additional cost to the public purse for my attendance as Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans at the commemorations of the 70th anniversary of Dunkirk was approximately £810, using the most cost effective and efficient methods. This is broken down as follows:
	
		
			  Cost 
			  £ 
			  Item  Minister  Officials  Total 
			 Accommodation 0 88 88 
			 Subsistence 12 48 60 
			 Drivers' wages 0 433 433 
			 Travel (ferry) 179 (1)- (2)229 
			  (fuel) 50 (1)- (2)- 
			 Total 241 569 810 
			 (1 )Included in ferry and fuel costs (2) Indicates brace

Low Flying

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in respect of how many wind farm developments  (a) in North Carmarthenshire and  (b) nationally his Department has made an agreement with the developer providing that low-flying aircraft activity (i) may and (ii) may not take place in the vicinity of the development.

Andrew Robathan: Wind farm developers do not control the airspace within which their equipment is sited and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not have to approach them for authority to operate low-flying aircraft in the vicinity of the wind farms.
	If a proposed development raises potential low-flying concerns, MOD will always do everything practical to work with the developers to find mutually acceptable solutions wherever possible. That said, military aircraft do not usually operate in close proximity to wind farms and will always maintain the appropriate minimum separation distance.
	Since 2001 the Department has objected to 14 wind farm planning applications on the basis of low-flying concerns, none of which fall within North Carmarthenshire. It is not possible to identify from available records the number of cases where low-flying concerns have been overcome as a result of mitigation discussions.

Met Office

Phil Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how much his Department spent on  (a) rail,  (b) road and  (c) air travel by staff of the Met Office in the last 12 months;
	(2)  how much his Department spent on air travel of each class for Met Office staff in the last 12 months.

Andrew Robathan: The Met Office is a global provider of weather and climate services with customers located across the UK and overseas. It provides vital operational support to the armed forces, as well as to emergency responders during periods of severe weather and other environmental incidents. As the UK's National Meteorological Service, the Met Office also has a number of international obligations placed upon it by the World Meteorological Organization.
	In meeting the needs of its customers during 2009-10, the Met Office spent £463,662, £786,539 and £692,838 on rail, road and air travel respectively. Of that spent on air travel, details held centrally show that £593,879 was for economy class, £59,031 for business class and £315 for first-class travel. Where first-class was flown, this was the only option available. Details of other flights are not held centrally, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Met Office

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of the Met Office; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: Defence activity is being reviewed in the context of the strategic defence and security review and the spending review. It would be premature to speculate about any impact on the Met Office at this stage.

Met Office and United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff at the  (a) Met Office and  (b) Hydrographic Office earn more than £100,000.

Andrew Robathan: Details of the remuneration of the Met Office's and United Kingdom Hydrographic Office's Executive Directors are published in their annual report and accounts. These show that in 2008-09, three members of the UKHO Executive and four members of the Met Office Executive were paid more than £100,000. Outside of the Executive, no staff are paid more than £100,000.

Met Office and United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the remuneration and benefit arrangements are of the non-executive directors of the  (a) Met Office and  (b) Hydrographic Office.

Andrew Robathan: Details of the remuneration and benefits for the non-executive directors of the Met Office and UK Hydrographic Office are published annually in the respective Trading Fund annual report and accounts.

Met Office and United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on hotel accommodation for staff of the  (a) Met Office and  (b) Hydrographic Office in the last 12 months.

Andrew Robathan: During the financial year 2009-10 the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office spent £550,000 on hotel accommodation and the Met Office £560,000.

Met Office and United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

Phil Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff at the  (a) Met Office and  (b) Hydrographic Office are entitled to use official cars.

Andrew Robathan: No one at the Met Office is automatically entitled to use an official car. However the Met Office has 10 pool cars which are available for use by any member of staff, when necessary, in order to minimise transport costs.
	The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office has one pool car which is available for use by the 15 members of the Executive Committee and main board; and by others at the discretion of the chief executive. Overseas visitors also make use of this facility when available in order to minimise transport costs.

Met Office and United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the remuneration and benefits arrangements are of the chief executive of the  (a) Met Office and  (b) Hydrographic Office; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: Details around the remuneration and benefits for the chief executives of the Met Office and UK Hydrographic Office are published annually in the respective agency annual report and accounts.

Military Aircraft: Procurement

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what aircraft will replace the Nimrod R1.

Peter Luff: On 22 March 2010 the Ministry of Defence made an announcement that the Nimrod R1 would be replaced by US Air Force Rivet Joint RC-135 aircraft and associated ground systems. Following the new Government's announcement to audit all spending decisions taken since 1 January this year, this decision is currently under review. Furthermore, as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review work has been set in hand to review all major equipment and support contracts to ensure the future programme is coherent with future defence needs and can be afforded.

Military Aircraft: Procurement

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the US Administration on the purchase of the RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft.

Peter Luff: I have not met the US Administration to discuss the purchase of the Rivet Joint system. However, officials of both countries are in regular communication.

United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on air travel of each class by staff at the Hydrographic Office.

Andrew Robathan: Air costs information is not collected by class of travel; an analysis by class cannot therefore be provided without incurring disproportionate cost. However, current United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) policy requires the use of economy class unless approved by the chief executive. During the period 1 June 2009 to 31 May 2010, a total of £807,300 was expended on air travel reflecting the international focus of UKHO business activity.

United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on  (a) rail,  (b) road and  (c) air travel by staff of the Hydrographic Office in the last 12 months.

Andrew Robathan: Expenditure during the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 was:
	
		
			  Transport type  Cost (£000) 
			 Rail 78.3 
			 Road 189.6 
			 Air 811.5 
		
	
	Road travel covers mileage payments made for the use of private vehicles on official business, car hire and taxis.

United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of the Hydrographic Office; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: A review of the arrangements for delivering charting and navigational services by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office was initiated earlier this year. This work will be aligned with the Strategic Defence and Security Review. It would be premature to speculate about the outcome of the review at this stage.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority

David Winnick: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what senior posts, at what salary bands, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has advertised in the last two months;
	(2)  what the annual salary of the Chief Executive of IPSA is; and to what other remuneration he is entitled;
	(3)  what information he has received from IPSA on  (a) the number of days each week the Chair is contracted to the Authority,  (b) the functions the Chair undertakes,  (c) the (i) salary he receives and (ii) other remuneration he is eligible for; and whether (1) he and (2) Ministerial colleagues have discussed with the Chair of the IPSA the administrative mechanisms for processing claims of hon. Members;
	(4)  what information he has received from IPSA on  (a) the number of staff it employs,  (b) the number of its staff paid salaries of over £40,000 annually and  (c) the number of staff eligible for bonus payments;
	(5)  what discussions he has had with the Chair of IPSA on the  (a) arrangements and  (b) venue for hon. Members to meet senior officers of the Authority to seek advice; and how many requests the Authority has received from hon. Members for such meetings;
	(6)  what discussions he has had with the Chair of IPSA on the Authority's policy on publishing on its website the details of each claim authorised for payment to hon. Members immediately upon approval.

Mark Harper: Questions about the internal workings of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority are a matter for the Authority itself. The Deputy Prime Minister has policy responsibility for IPSA.

Young People

John Robertson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will bring forward proposals to encourage the engagement of young people in the political process.

Mark Harper: The Government believe that many of the proposals in its constitutional and political reform agenda will help to encourage involvement by young people in our democracy.
	The Electoral Commission has a statutory responsibility to run public awareness campaigns to promote voter registration and to provide information on electoral events. In pursuit of this, the Electoral Commission recently ran public awareness campaigns in the lead up to the general election to encourage people to register to vote. The campaign was targeted at groups less likely to be on the electoral register, particularly 18 to 24-year-olds and led to more than half a million electoral registration forms being downloaded from the Commission's website.
	The campaign included work on social networking websites as well as advertising on television, radio and in the press. The Electoral Commission has also funded other organisations working to increase democratic participation among young people, through its partnership grants programme. These organisations include Barnardos, the Prince's Trust and UK Youth Parliament.

CABINET OFFICE

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what mechanisms he plans to use to review the effectiveness of non-departmental public bodies.

Francis Maude: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today.

Admiralty Arch

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he plans to derive revenue for the public purse from the apartments in Admiralty Arch held by the Government.

Francis Maude: There are no apartments in Admiralty Arch as this is only an office building.

Departmental Catering

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will place in the Library a copy of the menus for the canteen in 10 Downing Street for the week of 17 May 2010.

Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office total facilities management provider contracted by the previous Government supplies food for catering facilities across the Cabinet Office estate. A copy of the Cabinet Office menu for the week beginning 17 May 2010 has been placed in the House Library.

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many  (a) plasma and  (b) LCD televisions there are in ministerial offices in his Department.

Francis Maude: There are three LCD televisions in ministerial offices in the Cabinet Office. These were all purchased before the current Government took office.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Helen Goodman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many special advisers  (a) he and  (b) each other Minister assigned to responsibilities in his Department (i) has appointed to date and (ii) plans to appoint.

Francis Maude: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 June 2010,  Official Report, column 99W.

Departmental Responsibilities

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has for the future of the  (a) Prime Minister's Strategy Unit,  (b) National School of Government and  (c) Central Office of Information; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: I have no current plans.

Government Departments: Recruitment

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to reduce Government expenditure on recruitment advertising.

Francis Maude: The Government are committed to reducing expenditure on recruitment advertising across the Civil Service. We have implemented a recruitment freeze across the Civil Service, which tightly restricts external recruitment to the Fast Stream, business critical posts and other frontline posts that should save up to £145 million for 2010-11. We have also implemented restrictions on marketing and advertising spend, which includes recruitment campaigns, and are expected to deliver savings in the region of £160 million in 2010-11. These restrictions will take effect immediately across all government departments, agencies and NDPBs.

Ministerial Policy Advisers

Kevan Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  how many special advisers of each nationality are employed by Government departments;
	(2)  how many non-UK citizens are employed as special advisers by Government departments;
	(3)  what advice his Department issues to other Government department's on the employment of non-UK citizens as special advisers.

Francis Maude: The numbers of special advisers by each nationality, including non-UK citizens, employed as special advisers by Government departments is not held centrally.
	Special Advisers as temporary civil servants are bound by the civil service nationality rules. A copy of the rules can be accessed at
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/resources/nationality.aspx

TREASURY

Banks

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to establish an independent commission on the separation of retail and investment banking; what discussions he has had with potential commissioners on that matter; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: The independent banking commission will be established under the auspices of, and will report its findings to, the Cabinet Banking Reform Committee. It will be established as quickly as practically possible. The Government will make further announcements in due course.

Bradford & Bingley

John Pugh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what his policy is on the status of subordinated bondholders in Bradford & Bingley in the event of settlement;
	(2)  which former private banking and financial assets are in public ownership.

Mark Hoban: The Government wholly owns the following three banks: Bradford & Bingley plc; Northern Rock plc; and, Northern Rock (Asset Management) plc. The Government partially owns the following two banks: Royal Bank of Scotland plc and Lloyds Banking Group plc.
	The Government's shareholdings in all the above five banks are managed by UKFI (United Kingdom Financial Investments Ltd) whose objectives are to maximise taxpayer value, help maintain financial stability and promote banking competition.
	The subordinated bonds issued by Bradford & Bingley plc (B&B) are not covered by the Treasury wholesale deposit guarantee arrangements announced on 29 September 2008. Payments of these bonds, including interest, are entirely a matter for the board of B&B.
	The company announced on 23 February 2010 that it will defer payment (principal and interest) on its subordinated bonds until the £18.4 billion statutory debt owed to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and the Treasury is repaid. The deferral of the payments of these bonds is part of the condition for which EC state aid approval was granted on 25 January 2010.

Business: Closures

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the limited liability companies which ceased operations in the last financial year owed money to HM Revenue and Customs.

David Gauke: The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Child Trust Fund

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many children in Streatham constituency have received assistance from the Child Trust Fund;
	(2)  what steps his Department takes in respect of stakeholder accounts into which child trust fund vouchers have not been paid by the child's parents within one year of issue.

Mark Hoban: The annual statistical information on Child Trust Fund accounts, including constituency and regional level data, can be viewed on HMRC's website:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ctf/stats.htm
	The data shows that 9,626 children born on or before 5 April 2008 in the Streatham constituency have a Child Trust Fund account, of which 2,581 were opened by HMRC.
	If the parents or guardians of a child that received a voucher under the scheme have not opened an account within a year of the voucher being issued, HM Revenue and Customs will have opened a stakeholder account for them.

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation

Richard Harrington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking in respect of payment of compensation to Equitable Life policyholders.

Mark Hoban: The Government have pledged to make fair and transparent payment to Equitable Life policyholders, through an independently designed payment scheme, for their relative loss as a result of regulatory failure.
	The Queen's Speech announced the Government's intention to introduce a Bill in the first session of Parliament to enable payments to be made to Equitable Life policyholders.
	On the same day, the Government also announced that an independent commission would be established to determine scheme design.
	These steps are a sign of the Government's commitment to deliver on their pledge.

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what timetable has been set in respect of ex gratia payments to equitable Life policyholders who experienced losses.

Mark Hoban: We will establish an independently designed payment scheme that is transparent and fair to both taxpayers and policyholders.
	Sir John Chadwick is due to submit his final report to the Treasury by mid-July. While Sir John finalises his report, the Government will consult with others on the next stage of the process.
	The Government will then publish Sir John's report alongside a detailed update, giving next steps towards implementing an independently designed payment scheme.

Excise Duties: Fuels

Kate Hoey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what his policy is on the taxation of road fuel;
	(2)  if he will initiate a public consultation on reform of the taxation of road fuel;
	(3)  if he will introduce a road fuel discount scheme for drivers in rural areas.

Justine Greening: The main rate of fuel duty is currently 57.19p per litre. Under plans set out by the previous Government, it is scheduled to rise by:
	1p per litre on 1 October 2010;
	0.76p per litre on 1 January 2011; and
	1p per litre above inflation each year thereafter until 2014.
	The coalition Government have committed to investigate measures to help with fuel costs in remote rural areas. The Chancellor keeps all taxes under review.

Office for Budget Responsibility

John Pugh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors he took into account when appointing Sir Alan Budd as head of the Office for Budgetary Responsibility.

Mark Hoban: Sir Alan Budd was appointed on the basis of his skills and experience in macroeconomics and fiscal policy.

Tax Allowances: Married People

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of households in  (a) the UK and  (b) Bristol East constituency who will be eligible for the proposed transferable tax allowance for married couples.

David Gauke: The Government have not announced their plans for recognising marriage in the tax system, and therefore it is not possible to provide the estimates that the hon. Lady asks for. Proposals will be brought forward by the Chancellor at the appropriate time.

Tax Allowances: Married People

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the recognition of marriage in the taxation system.

David Gauke: Proposals that recognise marriage and civil partnerships in the income tax system will be brought forward by the Chancellor at the appropriate time.

Taxation: Financial Services

Graham Allen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to introduce a levy on financial transactions in the UK.

Mark Hoban: We are working with international partners, looking at all the options, and will be taking note of the International Monetary Fund's report on how the financial sector can make a fair and substantial contribution. We will introduce a banking levy as detailed in the coalition agreement.

VAT

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to businesses of implementing the recent temporary reduction in the rate of value added tax.

David Gauke: The previous administration published an impact assessment at the 2008 pre-Budget report, available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/pbr08_vat_1845.pdf
	The November 2008 impact assessment estimated that the total cost for businesses in implementing the reduction at £175 million and the cost of the reversion at £125 million.
	HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has commissioned research to look at the actual costs of complying with the VAT rate reduction and rate reversion. The findings of this work will be published in line with HMRC's stated publication policy following their expected completion later this year.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Aimhigher Programme

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent representations he has received on the future of the Aimhigher programme.

David Willetts: holding answer 2 June 2010
	To date, I have received one letter about the future of the Aimhigher programme, which is from the hon. Member.

Alcoholic Drinks: Prices

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what role the Government has in  (a) determining the legal implications of setting a minimum price per unit of alcohol in Scotland and  (b) ensuring that implementation is compatible with EU competition law.

Edward Davey: The Scottish Government's Alcohol etc (Scotland) Bill is currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament. At this stage, it is for the Scottish Government to respond to the questions that have been raised about the Bill and to ensure its legislation and actions are compatible with EU law and within competence.

Alcoholic Drinks: Prices

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what legal advice he has received regarding the minimum pricing per unit of alcohol; and what steps he is taking to ensure that minimum price setting is compatible with  (a) domestic and  (b) EU competition law.

Edward Davey: As part of the Government's work in examining options for tackling harms associated with excessive consumption of alcohol, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has considered the legal issues associated with a minimum unit price for alcohol. The Department will continue to contribute to the Government's work in this area, including advising how competition law relates to any proposed measures.

Apprentices: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment his Department has made of levels of demand for apprenticeships in the London Borough of Bexley.

John Hayes: We know that the demand from young people and adults for good quality employer-owned apprenticeships is high. Last year, there were 800 starts in Bexley and there have already been 500 starts in the first half of this academic year (up to 31 January).
	We intend to increase the number of apprenticeship places for people of all ages, and we are committed to improving the quality of apprenticeships to make them better suited to the needs of employers and learners.
	The Government's decision to redeploy £150 million of our savings for 2010-11, creating an additional 50,000 places this financial year, demonstrates our commitment to high-quality skills. We are investing in our future and training the next generation, as well as developing the existing work force, which is vital as we emerge from recession.

Business: Reading Berkshire

Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps his Department has taken to assist small and medium-sized businesses in Reading East constituency.

Mark Prisk: The Government are currently setting their policy priorities for the next five years, which will aim to make this the most entrepreneurial decade in history. This means creating the right environment to start and grow a business, including tackling issues such as the availability of finance and skills, the burden of regulation and issues of business confidence and taxation.
	The Government are committed to promoting economic growth across the country and will support the creation of local enterprise partnerships to promote local economic development, to replace the regional development agencies. These may take the form of the existing RDAs where they are popular.
	The Government are also redirecting £150 million of funding in 2010-11 to create an additional 50,000 high quality employer-led apprenticeship places. These new places will be targeted especially at SMEs to make it easier for small businesses to take on apprentices and access the benefits they can bring to the workplace.

Departmental Official Residences

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether any domestic properties in the gift of the Government have been allocated to the use of Ministers in his Department.

Edward Davey: No.

Further Education: Finance

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to ring-fence funding for further education.

John Hayes: The announcements on savings to reduce the fiscal deficit made by the Government on 24 May 2010 included a reduction of £200 million in the train to gain budget in 2010-11. However, this resource is being reinvested in more apprenticeship places and further education capital projects. We will set out our plans for future years, including details of any ring-fences, in the forthcoming Spending Review. In general, we will aim to enable each of the sectors we fund to plan ahead with comparative certainty, although every Government needs to retain a capacity, subject to parliamentary scrutiny, to be able to respond to changing circumstances.

Further Education: Student Numbers

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the change in the number of students studying at further education colleges in the west midlands between academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11.

John Hayes: The following table shows learners studying at FE colleges in the west midlands Government office region in 2007/08 and 2008/09, the most recent years for which full year data are available.
	
		
			  Learners studying at further education colleges in the  w est midlands, 2007/08 and 2008/09 
			  Region  2007/08  2008/09 
			 West midlands 330,865 380,692 
			  Notes: 1. Further education provision includes general further education colleges including tertiary, sixth form colleges, special college-agricultural and horticultural colleges and art and design colleges, specialist colleges and external institutions. 2. Volumes are rounded to the nearest hundred. 3. Figures for 2008/09 are not directly comparable to 2007/08 due to a change in funding methodology.  Source: Individualised Learner Record.

Higher Education: Finance

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what proportion of students studying for a higher education qualification in  (a) a further education college and  (b) other institutions in 2008-09 were (i) directly funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, (ii) funded via a university and (iii) funded by the Learning and Skills Council.

David Willetts: The latest available information from the Learning and Skills Council and the Higher Education Statistics Agency is provided in the attached tables.
	
		
			  Table 1: Full person equivalent (FPE) students registered at institutions in England and studying for a Higher Education (HE) qualification by type of provision and source of funding: English Further Education Colleges-Academic Year 2007-08 
			  Type of Provision  Funding source  Number  Proportion (%) 
			 Accredited HE not fundable by HEFCE, delivered by English FEC LSC 32,960 20 
			 Accredited HE not fundable by HEFCE, delivered by English FEC Other funding source 5,335 3 
			 Accredited HE not fundable by HEFCE, delivered by English FEC Total 38,300 - 
			 Prescribed HE directly delivered by English FEC HEFCE 47,650 28 
			 Prescribed HE directly delivered by English FEC Other funding source 9,090 5 
			 Prescribed HE directly delivered by English FEC Total 56,735 - 
			 Franchised HE delivered by English FEC in partnership with an HEI HEFCE 51,500 31 
			 Franchised HE delivered by English FEC in partnership with an HEI Other funding source 4,360 3 
			 Franchised HE delivered by English FEC in partnership with an HEI Total 55,855 - 
			 Franchised HE delivered by an unknown or non-HEI/FEC institution in partnership with an HEI HEFCE 11,700 7 
			 Franchised HE delivered by an unknown or non-HEI/FEC institution in partnership with an HEI Other funding source 5,260 3 
			 Franchised HE delivered by an unknown or non-HEI/FEC institution in partnership with an HEI Total 16,960 - 
			 Grand Total  167,850 100 
			  Notes: HEI: Higher Education Institution: FEC:Further Education College HEFCE: Higher Education Funding Council for England Numbers include all students taught by English FECs, or by an unknown or non-HEI/FEC institution, and all modes of learning including distance learners, and all levels of HE. Students returned to HESA as 'Fundable by HEFCE, but funds not sought' have been attributed to 'Other funding source'. FPE students taught by English HEIs are not accounted for in these data. FPEs have been rounded to the nearest five and percentages have been rounded to the nearest integer. 2008-09 HESA and LSC data are available but the equivalent analysis has not yet been performed by HEFCE.  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record and Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Individualised Learner Record F04 data. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Higher Education Enrolment( 1)  by Source of Funding English Higher Education Institutions: Academic Year 2008-09 
			  Source of funding  Number  Proportion (%) 
			 Directly funded by HEFCE 1,740,350 86.8 
			 Funded by LSC 90 <0.1 
			 Funded via a University 3,105 0.2 
			 Other 262,305 13.1 
			 Total 2,005,845 100 
			 (1) Covers postgraduate and undergraduate students of all domiciles enrolled on full-time and part-time courses.  Notes:  Figures are based on a HESA Standard Registration Population. Figures are rounded to the nearest five, so components may not sum to total. Percentages are given to one decimal place. HEFCE: Higher Education Funding Council for England LSC: Learning and Skills Council  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record

Higher Education: Finance

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to make in-year changes to his Department's budgetary provision for each university in the West Midlands in 2010-11.

David Willetts: The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) announced provisional allocations to institutions for academic year 2010/11 on 18 March 2010. As in previous years, final allocations taking into account any further changes, including those resulting from the Chancellor's statement on 24 May 2010, will be announced by HEFCE in July this year.

Higher Education: Student Numbers

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many young people were in higher education in each  (a) constituency and  (b) local authority area in (i) 1997 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the number of young people likely to be in higher education in each such area in the next three years.

David Willetts: The latest available information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), showing young undergraduate enrolments by constituency and local authority, will be placed in the Libraries of the House. Figures for the 2009/10 academic year will be available from HESA in January 2011.
	The Department does not make forward estimates of student numbers below national level. Estimates for the next three years are therefore not available by age group, local authority or constituency.

Higher Education: Student Numbers

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the change in the number of students studying at universities in the west midlands between academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11.

David Willetts: The number of students in each institution will depend upon the recruitment decisions taken by individual institutions. However, we are making available funding for an additional 10,000 places in academic year 2010/11 which will be allocated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Northwest Regional Development Agency

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills by what date he plans to decide whether to abolish the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

Mark Prisk: The Government will provide further detail on the future of the regional development agencies and how we propose to take forward our proposals for local enterprise partnerships in due course.

Regional Development Agencies

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which individual  (a) programmes and  (b) grants in each regional development agency he has identified as lower-value expenditure to contribute towards his Department's proposed expenditure reductions.

Mark Prisk: No decisions have been made on how projects/programmes currently delivered by the regional development agencies (RDAs) will be affected. We are working closely with the RDAs to minimise the impact on priority programmes in line with Government priorities. Affected programmes and projects will be kept fully informed as specific decisions are made and plans are developed.

Regional Development Agencies

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made an assessment of the merits of Advantage West Midlands' plans to allocate funding to Castle Hill in Dudley; and if he will ensure that the funding for those plans will not be affected by the implementation of the reductions needed to achieve the £100 million reduction in expenditure set out by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24 May 2010.

Mark Prisk: The Government have set out plans to make over £6 billion of savings. The RDAs outside London (which is being dealt with separately) will contribute £270 million from their programme budgets. We are in discussions with the RDAs about how this will translate across the RDA network. Decisions as to how these reductions impact on individual projects will be for the RDAs themselves. We have however indicated that we wish to minimise the impact in the north-east, north-west, Yorkshire and the west midlands.

Regional Development Agencies

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent representations he has received from local authorities in the west midlands on the work of Advantage West Midlands.

Mark Prisk: The Department has had no formal representation from individual local authorities in the west midlands on the work of Advantage West Midlands. The West Midlands Joint Strategy and Investment Board (JS&IB) has however requested a meeting to discuss how they can help rebalance the regional economy and I hope to meet them in due course.

Sheffield Forgemasters: Finance

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will maintain the present level of financial support from his Department for Sheffield Forgemasters.

Mark Prisk: In line with the statement given by my right hon. Friend the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 17 May, and along with other projects which were approved after January 2010, the loan to Forgemasters is undergoing a process of review. An announcement will be made in due course as part of the review.

Students: Loans

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  how many EU nationals have claimed a maintenance loan while attending university in the UK in the last 10 years; and how many such EU nationals are in arrears in respect of their loan repayments;
	(2)  how many nationals of other EU countries attending university in England were in receipt of a maintenance loan in each of the last five years; and how many are in arrears with repayment;
	(3)  how many nationals of other European countries attending university in England and in receipt of a maintenance loan have defaulted on repayments in each of the last five years.

David Willetts: holding answer 2 June 2010
	 The information requested is available for tuition fee loans, but not available in the format requested for maintenance loans.
	European Union (EU) nationals are generally eligible for tuition fee support only, provided that they have been ordinarily resident in the European economic area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the first day of the first academic year of their course. EU nationals have been eligible to apply for tuition fee loans since they were introduced in the 2006/07academic year.
	EU nationals who have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands for the three years prior to the first day of the first academic year of their course may also qualify for maintenance loans. Additionally, certain EEA and Swiss migrant workers and specified family members, children of Swiss nationals, and children of Turkish workers in the UK may be eligible for the full support package provided that they satisfy specific residence conditions.
	By June 2009 there were 4,800 EU borrowers who had studied in England who had become liable to repay tuition fee loans. Of those, 600 were considered to be in arrears. The majority of this 600 are borrowers who are known to be overseas, have not provided details of their income, and have therefore been set up with repayment schedules and put into notional arrears in order that the Student Loans Company can commence tracing and possibly legal action where appropriate. This is an essential step in the overseas collection process. This figure does also include those accounts where borrowers have defaulted on their loan repayments.
	On 22 June the Student Loans Company is due to publish updated figures in Income Contingent Repayments by Repayment Cohort and Tax Year 2000/01 to 2008/09.

Trade Unions

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to consult trade unions in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies on cost reduction plans.

Edward Davey: On 26 May 2010 the HR Director for BIS and his team met with the departmental trade unions (PCS, prospect and FDA) regarding the implications of the Chancellor's announcement on 24 May. A programme of weekly meetings is being set up to maintain the dialogue and consultation on this.
	The agencies of BIS have their own trade union representatives and consultative arrangements. Meetings between management and the trade unions in the agencies are taking place to discuss the implications of the Chancellor's announcement.

Vocational Training: North East

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he plans to take to increase the skills levels of the workforce in  (a) Hartlepool constituency and  (b) the North East.

John Hayes: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will seek to drive up the skills levels of the workforce by directing public funding where it will bring the clearest benefits. We will also make sure that employers and individuals have the information they need to make the best choices about investing in training. We have begun to rebalance skills provision by redeploying £150 million of Train to Gain funding to create 50,000 high-quality Apprenticeship places, focused on small and medium sized enterprises. We are also taking action to set colleges and training organisations free from excessive bureaucracy and direct state control, to give them the freedom to respond better to local needs.
	The Skills Funding Agency is responsible for the delivery of public funds for skills training, including Apprenticeships. Hartlepool and the North East will benefit from the refocusing of funding towards higher-quality training with clearer benefits. In excess of £6 million of public funding will be supporting skills training delivered in Hartlepool in 2010-11 covering a diverse range of programmes to meet the needs of individuals and employers, including apprentices. This is supplemented by a range of other Teesside programmes which are accessible to many of those living in Hartlepool.